Christina Patterson and Serra Nicolette

Champaign Urbana Schools Foundation (CUSF) will honor four teachers in 2023 with the Shining Star Awards. Selected Unit 4 and District 116 teachers are nominated by their peers and exhibit exemplary service, extra effort, enthusiastic attitude and innovative ideas that noticeably benefit their students. Unit 4 Schools are represented by Christina Patterson, 2nd grade teacher at Garden Hills Academy, and Serra Nicolette, Unit 4 Actions/Restore Program grades 1-3 teacher. Urbana District 116 is represented by Jackie Martin, fourth grade teacher at Thomas Paine Elementary, and Madison Ross, special education teacher at Urbana High School.

2023 Unit 4 Shining Star Selections

Christina Patterson

Garden Hills Academy

Christina Patterson has developed a classroom community built on mutual respect, innovative learning, and high expectations. Her nominator says “she is a classroom innovator who created a March Madness reading activity challenging paired students to read two books each day. The students would vote on the best book to move on through the bracket until a top book was “crowned” champion. This innovative approach got her students engaged and excited about reading. Christina also works diligently on the Response to Intervention team, taking time to learn about student strengths and weaknesses. She projects a calm and caring support that helps parents relax and feel comfortable even if they are hearing news about their child struggling with academics. If you walk into her classroom, you will experience a welcoming and inclusive environment which makes everyone feel comfortable and valued.”

Serra Nicolette

Actions/Restore Program

Serra Nicolette has been teaching for 25 years, and joined the Unit 4 Restore Program just 2 years ago. Restore provides an alternative placement for struggling elementary students to help them return to their home schools with better strategies to be successful. Serra helps review incoming students academic and behavioral challenges and helps create a plan for instruction in math and reading, as well as support for social emotional routines. Her nominator says “Serra builds a sense of community and welcoming in her classroom. “Bucket Fillers” with each student’s name hang in the front of the classroom with slips of paper in each bucket providing positive comments. Ms. Nicolette helps parents feel comfortable by welcoming them to engage with school activities. She also spends countless hours documenting each student’s progress with the goal of returning to their home school. The enthusiasm she brings every day to her classroom positively impacts everyone around her.”

All Shining Star recipients will receive a $250 cash award and a $250 CUSF grant for their classrooms in the upcoming fall. Teachers will be recognized at the annual CUSF Spring Fling Teacher Appreciation Social 5/3/23 at Riggs in Urbana.